Château Margaux

TheDean · 2 Dec 2011 at 11:12

So a mate of mine has had a baby, and I said I'd cook him a steak and open a 1er Cru Classé, but which year? Forget Margaux...going for insanity money currently. No more than £100

taB · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:27

You won't get a First Growth of any year for that kind of money and would be pushing it to get even one of their second wines. I'd go 2ème Cru and look at Montrose, Léoville-Barton, etc..

TheDean · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:41

taB said:
You won't get a First Growth of any year for that kind of money and would be pushing it to get even one of their second wines. I'd go 2ème Cru and look at Montrose, Léoville-Barton, etc..

2ème Cru does look the way forward. BBR best place to look? I literally have no idea what I'm after here

oli collett · 2 Dec 2011 at 18:28

For that money I'd go for Chateau Lynch-Bages - especially for steak, Pauillac has a bit more weight to it. As others have said, you won't find any 1er cru for close to £100 unless you are extremely fortunate.

J1234 · 2 Dec 2011 at 20:39

Why waste your money if you have no idea what your looking for, and going by this thread, probably have no idea how to enjoy it? Either way, you wont get a first growth for that and will be pushed for a good second growth.

Anyway, many 2003 and 2005 Bordeaux are drinkable now, although to be at best they need many more years laying down. Not sure of the price at the moment, but Ch. Léoville-Barton was well priced for a second growth last time I had some.

mangobreeder · 2 Dec 2011 at 22:51

Chateau Montrose is very drinkable the moment

tom_nieto · 3 Dec 2011 at 18:18

Make sure you decant it, I'd even go so far as to say spend £80 on the wine and £20 on a decanter. Sorry if it sounds obvious!

Leoville-Barton is indeed lovely and will be in the right price range.

TheDean · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:11

oli collett said:
For that money I'd go for Chateau Lynch-Bages - especially for steak

Will have a look on BBR, cheers for the reccomendation. You have a year in mind?

Justin said:
Why waste your money if you have no idea what your looking for, and going by this thread, probably have no idea how to enjoy it?

I see it as an extravagence for a friend, who will certainly enjoy it. In terms of 'no idea how to enjoy it'. Other than room temparature & decanting, what would you advise? Drinking it upside down, perhaps?

mangobreeder said:
Chateau Montrose is very drinkable the moment

Will have a look. Year?

tom_nieto said:
Make sure you decant it, I'd even go so far as to say spend £80 on the wine and £20 on a decanter. Sorry if it sounds obvious!

Leoville-Barton is indeed lovely and will be in the right price range.

Yes, thank you. I have a decanter very similar to this http://www.wineware.co.uk/Eisch+Glas+Claret+Decanter--712.15-details.htm .

oli collett · 5 Dec 2011 at 19:29

TheDean said:
Will have a look on BBR, cheers for the reccomendation. You have a year in mind?

I've only been lucky enough to drink the 2003 earlier this year which was fantastic. I wouldn't go any younger than that, and tbh from 2005 onwards prices have gone nuts anyway!

This site is v useful for more info:
http://www.vinopedia.com/index.jsp

J1234 · 5 Dec 2011 at 19:58

TheDean said:
In terms of 'no idea how to enjoy it'. Other than room temparature & decanting, what would you advise? Drinking it upside down, perhaps?

I'm talking in terms of taste and enjoyment. Knowing the difference between a good Bordeaux and a bottle of plonk, knowing what you are tasting and why you are tasting it.

Also, room temperature of a modern home is far too warm, aim for 16-18 degrees and use a thermometer to check it. http://www.wineware.co.uk/Nuvo+Vino+Wine+Thermometer--NUVOVINO-details.htm